She’s on her way to stardom

Joce Lien, 13, is a singer, dancer and emerging vocal artist who is debuting her talents across the county in appearances.

By Jessika Morgan, Kinston Free Press

Published: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 02:48 PM.

TRENTON — A very unique childhood exists for one Jones Middle School teenager.

Jocelien Danee Whitehead, who is known by her stage name of JoceLien, is a rising artist looking to sing and dance her way to the gates of stardom.

The 13-year-old singer’s busy schedule became even busier after she won Miss Black North Carolina Talented Teen in December. Her schedule was already loaded with school, voice and dance classes and numerous appearances and showcases to help her chase her dream.

While Whitehead understands the hard work required to arrive at her pop and R&B music career, there are still a few things she can’t do like other children.

Her mother, Tuyet Franks, warns her against certain foods and drinks — like soda — that may spoil her voice. Sometimes, Whitehead can’t play outside in the cold for the same reason, but it’s all in the name of love and for her protection, according to Franks.

With one foot naturally in childhood, Whitehead’s other is on a hopeful road to stardom — where there’s often no time for youthful things.

“I think it’s very, very hard,” Whitehead said about breaking into the entertainment business. “You have to know your stuff, you have to know what you’re doing (and) you have to be on top of it.”

TRENTON — A very unique childhood exists for one Jones Middle School teenager.

Jocelien Danee Whitehead, who is known by her stage name of JoceLien, is a rising artist looking to sing and dance her way to the gates of stardom.

The 13-year-old singer’s busy schedule became even busier after she won Miss Black North Carolina Talented Teen in December. Her schedule was already loaded with school, voice and dance classes and numerous appearances and showcases to help her chase her dream.

While Whitehead understands the hard work required to arrive at her pop and R&B music career, there are still a few things she can’t do like other children.

Her mother, Tuyet Franks, warns her against certain foods and drinks — like soda — that may spoil her voice. Sometimes, Whitehead can’t play outside in the cold for the same reason, but it’s all in the name of love and for her protection, according to Franks.

With one foot naturally in childhood, Whitehead’s other is on a hopeful road to stardom — where there’s often no time for youthful things.

“I think it’s very, very hard,” Whitehead said about breaking into the entertainment business. “You have to know your stuff, you have to know what you’re doing (and) you have to be on top of it.”

She has talent classes five times a week — twice for singing and three times for dancing. She said you have to be able to be an all-around performer to make it all the way, like Beyonce, the artist responsible for inspiring Whitehead.

“She put in a lot of hard work (and) she had to keep practicing,” she said of her icon. “I feel like she inspired me to work hard and to be able to perform like her because everyone loves her because of what she does. I want to be just like that.”

The path is tough, but JoceLien has a supportive mother and grandmother backing her.

“I don’t think words can describe how proud I am of her and everything that she has accomplished so far and managing it without snapping,” Franks said.

Along with Whitehead’s recent success, she also released several songs, signed with 5050 Music Group music label and has had a number of stage performances — with more to go. On March 23, she will perform at the Women’s Empowerment 2013 in Raleigh, opening for singer Charlie Wilson.

Singing since the age of 4, she was discovered when songwriter West Adams came across a YouTube video clip of Whitehead.

The more she became involved with creating a singing career, the more trouble she encountered with other children at her previous middle school, Franks said.

“She says that I’m overprotective, but I try to make sure she’s around people that love her,” Franks said. She moved her daughter to Jones Middle because of its small population and said Principal Michael White works well with the pair.

Franks said surrounding herself with people who support her and JoceLien has helped her balance working multiple jobs — in health care — and managing her singing daughter.

“I am very involved,” Franks said. “I’m tired a lot and it gets consuming at some points, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”

Whitehead is Franks’ only daughter, although Whitehead has four siblings on her father’s side of the family. Her father, Whitehead said, is a reason she likes to get down and play football from time to time.

Other childhood things she enjoys included dissecting frogs in science class, her favorite subject.

Whitehead said she feels a bit pressured because of her young age. She said once she becomes a well-known artist, she still wants people to see the real her.

“I’m scared for people to change around me and not really like me for me,” she said. “I want them to like me for myself and see me as a normal person before I become famous.”

Music is her means of expression.

”When I’m angry, I sing about when I’m angry,” she said. “When I’m sad, I sing about when I’m sad. It’s a way I can express myself. You can show people how you feel thru music. Music is like everything, it’s life for me.”